When Her Death Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel) novel Chapter 1876

Chapter 1876 A Foreign Reality
“Cecilia, I made a mistake. Please, I'm begging you to help me.”

Stella reached out, gripping Cecilia's hand tightly, desperation shining in her eyes. “I have no one else to turn to. After I was blacklisted, the debt piled up. It's so much—I can't possibly repay it.”

Cecilia met her gaze, calm and unshaken. “And why would you think I'd pay it off for you?”

Stella was momentarily stunned.

Lately, she'd been haunted by dreams of the past—memories of when she and Cecilia had once been close. Back then, Cecilia had been genuinely kind, shielding her from bullies, always offering a helping hand without expecting anything in return.

Cecilia's father had treated her well too—not only funding her education, but also ensuring she could attend the same school as Cecilia.

Sometimes, when Stella woke from those dreams, the reality she faced felt completely foreign. As if she had stumbled into someone else's life—one where everything had gone terribly, irreversibly wrong.

“Ceci, I truly regret everything. I shouldn't have hurt you.” Stella's voice trembled as tears streamed silently down her cheeks.

But Cecilia remained unmoved. Without a word, she gently pulled her hand out of Stella's grasp. “Stella, you don't need to put on this act.”

Stella looked at her in shock.

Cecilia's tone stayed even. “If your life hadn't fallen apart, would you feel the same regret?”

Stella was silent.

Cecilia continued, “If you were still the shining star you once were, if Nathaniel and Zachary had never learned the truth and kept shielding you—would you still be here? Would you regret? Would you even think of apologizing?”

She knew the answer. In that version of the world, Stella would have stepped over her without a second thought.

Stella was at a loss for words.

Cecilia's gaze was cold, still, and unreadable—like a pond frozen over, void of any ripple or warmth.